Old Time Radio

By Karlsie

For us geeks that have XM radio so we can follow baseball (yes, I am that much of a geek at times), an pleasant bonuse is Bob Dylan's "Theme Time Radio Hour." His baseball show last April was a fabulous hour of music I grew up hearing. At the time I remember thinking, "too bad I can't TiVo this like I do with my TV shows..." In fact, the show was so well received that it has been "inducted" to Cooperstown.

So imagine my delight yesterday when, in purchasing the new Dylan CD, the guy at the register gave me a copy of that same radio hour I wished I could record for my listening pleasure. For those of you who missed this musical treasure, run - don't walk - to your local record store and see if you can pick up a copy. If not, this weekend XM is doing an 18 hour marathon of all of Dylan's shows so far - so try to catch it. You won't regret it.

Even if it means you get "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" stuck in your head for a couple of days.

NY's NL This Week

By jrhippe

Shawn Green, welcome to New York.

The Mets added the 33-year-old right fielder on Tuesday to fill in the void left from an earlier trade that sent Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh. The trade with Diamondbacks involved minor league pitcher Evan MacLane going to the desert.

So far, Green has fit in very well, batting sixth behind David Wright.

In his debut game with New York, wearing number 20, he drove in a run and earned a walk in a Mets win on Thursday to help them sweep St. Louis. Then against Philadelphia on Saturday he had two hits including a double, two RBI and scored a run. Today Green had another double driving in another run.

Not only is his offence an asset, but his defensive experience is what will matter most down the final stretch of the regular season and then into October. It's a significant improvement of rookie Lastings Millege's defence -- who has since been assigned back to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Mets received the news early in the week that pitcher Tom Glavine would not miss significant time with a suspected blood clot in his pitching shoulder. No surgery will be required, so he will only miss about 10 days or two starts. He is expected to be good to pitch on Friday in Houston.

For what sounded like a huge blow to their postseason chances turned into much ado about nothing in about 48 hours.

And with the addition of Green, the nine wins in ten games, it's been a good week.

BASE HITS
- Both Carlos reached milestones in homeruns this week. On Tuesday against St. Louis, Delgado hit his 400th HR of his career and on Saturday versus the Phillies, Beltran smacked his 200th. That's impressive.

- Game of the year candidate: Cardinals at Mets on August 22nd. In a slugfest showdown of MVP candidates Carlos Beltran and Albert Pujols, who drove home all seven STL runs, was actually upstaged by Beltran on the last swing of the game. A two run walkoff shot to right in the bottom of the ninth won the game for the Mets. Just an Amazin' evening in Queens. Check out all of NYM's walkoff hits this season, including Beltran's most recent, with this video.

- Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado are good friends. I remember when they came up through the Blue Jays' system together in the 1990s and there was talk back then of them being what Wright/Reyes is with the Mets now, but of course at the time the Jays could only afford to hold on to Delgado's salary. John Delcos notes that Delgado was in Green's wedding party a couple years ago and their lockers are together again. Good stuff.

- For the first time this season the Mets were ranked first in ESPN.com's baseball power rankings, based on their 6-0 week and just one spot ahead of the Yankees. So with both of New York's team at the top of the list, there was of course talk of a potential Subway Series again this year. But as long as Alex Rodriguez in on the Yankees, I can't see them making the World Series.

ON DECK
- Road trip! Six games in fact where the Mets are off to the Mile High City for a three game set against the Rockies. These two just hooked up last week with New York taking all three games.

- The Mets celebrated their 1986 team last week and lots of footage of their NLCS series against Houston was shown. Well they won't be playing these games in the Astrodome, but it will be a challenge against the defending NL champion. A great pitching match-up for Friday with Glavine going against Andy Pettitte.

NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com

ODC... Easy as One Two Three!

By Jack Jablin

Jack Jablin: Alright, it's been just a few days, but the ODC is back! Not a lot has changed, but the hype machine is rolling and we're here to set the record straight! The theme to tonight's ODC would have been "Freedom" by Jimi Hendrix, but for legal reasons let's just say that's the song that's been caught in my head all day.

Check the Stats: Golden oldy..

Jack Jablin: TONIGHT on the ODC... Ortiz and Howard in a race for the Major League Home Run Title, the Red Sox are feverishly trying to prove that they are NOT out of the AL East race; The Dodgers are trying to ride the D-Train to victory, but they don't mean Willis. Lastly, the Reds pull into a tie with the Cardinals; what does this mean for the NL Wild Card? Just ask us, becuase you don' know the Jacks.

Check the Stats: But first?

Jack Jablin: But first, we check the fan mail box!

Jack Jablin: Our fan mail of the night is from someone named "Slammalammadingdong9", it reads as follows:

CTS, Jablin. I've been reading YS.com for a while now and it appears as if you guys know or at least pretend to know something about baseball. my question is simple, do you think that teams like the orioles devil rays or your beloved royals will have a chance at winning their divisions in the next five years?

Check The Stats: Well, slammalamma, it really depends on how managerment handles things, with teams like the Giants who do not use enough prospects have a team that will not make the playoffs, however if these teams do not resign said prospects they will go to the big markets where they will be sought after by whoever can fork over the most dough.

Jack Jablin: Right, because arbitration can be a real pain in the arse. The Royals got a taste of arbitration with David DeJesus, and now they're preparing for players like Mark Teahen to go that same route. For the D-Rays, they recently had to grant Carl Crawford a multi-million dollar deal, and with players like Scott Kazmir nearing arbitration, it should be interesting to see how the players react. For the Orioles, there's really one name they need to focus on: Nick Markakis. If they can hold onto him they should be ok as far as prospects go for a little while.

Check the Stats: If these teams can keep the young guys then they will thrive, but you will always have the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and Angels who will throw out money to get the players that they want

Jack Jablin: Precisely, if they can hold onto their younger players, they WILL have a shot in a few years. But as of now, they may have to give up on this season and just enjoy the ride to glory; long as it may be.

Check the Stats: If teams find the balance between young and old they can find a way to success, just look at the Tigers, perfect example of a team that is the laughingstock turned league leader. I believe it was only a matter of years ago that the Tigers lost over 100 games.

Jack Jablin: Speaking of jokes turned into leaders, the Cinci Reds have turned their fortunes around; matching their tremendous offense with some stellar pitching. In fact, it was only two days ago that the Reds wered tied with the Cardinals. At this point, not only are the Reds hot in the NL Central hunt, but they lead the NL Wild Card. Hot on their tales are the Padres, Phillies and Giants (who the Reds play this weekend). What are your thoughts on Cinci's chances, thus far?

Check the Stats: I think that if the Reds pitchin can get itself together they can win the division because they definately have the offensive backing

Jack Jablin: Where do the Cardinals fall, into the wild card lead?

Check the Stats: I believe that they could win the wildcard, but they will have to earn it. The phillies and padres will be right on there tails so they won't make it easy for them

Jack Jablin: Speaking of the Phillies, Philly star Ryan Howard hit his 46th home run today, tying David Ortiz for the MLB lead. CTS, both of these players are lefties, but only Ortiz has the World Series ring. Who is going to finish the season with more homers?

Check the Stats: I believe Ortiz brcause of the man who is hitting after him and that is Manuel Ramirez, pitching around Ortiz can be more deadly than pitching to him because now Manny has a runner on base.

Jack Jablin: Makes sense, but Philly now has Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and other hitters that can put up formidible numbers on a regular basis; unlike several key Red Sox hitters. I have to wonder if - since pitchers obviously prefer to pitch to Manny - Ortiz will get less at bats than Howard. As such - and since Howard has been on fire since the Abreu trade - I'm going to leap on a limb and say I think the former Rookie of the Year will shock the world with the home run crown in '06.

Check the Stats: Hmm we will have to see my friend, we will have to see.

Jack Jablin: Speaking of the national league and rookies, the Dodgers - led by rookie Andre Ethier, veterans J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent - are making their way toward the playoffs, as we predicted. What are your thoughts on the Dodgers current prediciment, and how much will mid-season acquisitions Julio Lugo and Greg Maddux really mean toward the Dodgers final standing?

Check The Stats: I think that they could be the one team in th NL that challenges the Mets for the NL title. Because they have in the pitchering and the hitting that spells success, but with guys like Maddux and Lowe who both know how to get to the World Series and play there they could lead that staff

Jack Jablin: Nomar, Furcal, Betemit, Drew, Kent, Ethier - and now Lugo? This is a team to fear, no matter who you are. And with pitchers like Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux, Brad Penny and Chad Billingsly as starters, the team posts a double threat. While the bullpen may be an Achilles heel for LA, the starters have shown the ability to go 8 or even 9 innings in any given outing, giving LA fans a reason to cut their offense some slack when they don't preform spectacularly.

Check The Stats: but do you think the AL teams have anything to fear

Jack Jablin: I think a team like Oakland may have something to fear in the Dodgers, I'm sure that the Tigers, White Sox or Yankees would definitely make for a high-adrenaline matchup; I wouldn't take sides just yet, but I do think the AL might have the slight advantage over any team not from Cinci (the Reds would be an excellent American League team in my opinion) in the long run.

Check the Stats: I think that the AL pitching in most situations is subpar, and if they can be out pitched then they can be stopped

Jack Jablin: This is true, the problem is that American League teams somehow find a way for their subpar pitching to step up in games versus in the NL (interleague play, playoffs) and their offense stays the same, if not more powerful than normally.

Check the Stats: Maybe it has to do with two letters, D H?

Jack Jablin: Think about Derek Lowe in the 2004 playoffs. A pitcher who had a poor year, who stepped up to make history in multiple ways during the playoffs; including a gem versus St. Louis.

Check the Stats: It may have to do with the teams that they face, the offense of most AL teams means that if you can survive that you can survive anything, it's like drinking rams piss, if you can drink that, you can drink anything.

Jack Jablin: This is true, and much like Broken Lizard in beerfest, baseball is all about commitment to perfection through one team working as a collective unit. As such, I feel it only fair that we use this time to pick the team that has best showcased a mix of improvement, clever management and team chemistry. CTS, what's your pick for this year's most impressive team?

Check the Stats: Well it's a no-brainer, the Detroit Tigers; the Tigers have mixed young and old, have veteran coachers, and have made the right moves to get everything working to make the team a collective works unit.

Jack Jablin: For me, I have to go with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the past two years, the Dodgers have changed almost all of their offensive starters, mixed up a majority of their starting rotation and they have made a lot of selfless moves to better their organization and make the fans cheer "Think Blue" for the first time in almost two decades. With young talent stepping up and veteran players taking time to shine, it would legitimately be a shame to see the Dodgers fail to make this year's playoffs.

Check the Stats: Well that could make for an interesting World Series match up; Detroit V LA?

Jack Jablin: That does it for this edition of the ODC. Join us Wednesday for the next edition.

Check The Stats: Goodnight you knuckleheads, and hey David Wells had a good start, WOW!

To send in your questions to the On Deck Circle, drop them to JJablinYS@hotmail.com

The On Deck Circle

By Jack Jablin

Right now on the ODC: You asked? You shall receive: our picks for Rookie of the Year and more! You didn't ask, you will still receive: our predictions for the divisional races!

Jack Jablin: You think they're ready?

Check the Stats: They'd better be, 'cause this freight train known as the ODC ain't stopping for them!

Jack Jablin: Just like the curse of Fred McGriff ending in Atlanta (not exactly the way the Braves hoped, eh?), the ODC's vow of silence is about to be broken. I am Jack Jablin, my sidekick is Check the Stats and you all are neither. The theme for tonight's ODC would have been "Say Anything (else)" by a band called "Cartel", but for legal reasons, let's just say that song is caught in my head and you should all go to Best Buy and buy it.... What did I just say? Go buy it already..

Check the Stats: Or don't! Perhaps instead you should revel in the return of the greatest typed up talk show that you'll ever see...read..

CATCHING UP:

Jack Jablin: Check the Stats, we start off in the world of Major League Baseball. Teixeira is DOWN, Soriano is UP, the Braves are OUT and the Sox are SICK and the Tigers are HEALTHY... What the hell is going on?

Check the Stats: Jack, we all know that it's been a strange year thus far, but not one that couldn't be plausably foreseen. Let's start with the teams: as much as Braves fans hate to hear it, they were doomed from the start of '05. Their great pitching coach - Leo Mazzone - has left, the Mets had a yankee like offseason with their wheeling and dealing and the Braves continued acts of indifference to free agents such as Rafeal Furcal seemingly doomed their chances.

Jack Jablin: Furcal of course landing with the Dodgers.

Check the Stats: Now the Red Sox also had a problem from the star --; their bullpen. With the exception of Mike Timlin at the beginning of the year, many of the pitchers were either young -- Delcarmen, Hansen -- had a sketchy rep -- Seanez -- or were injury prone like Keith Foulke. Jonathan Papelbon is the only one who can get through an inning without give up runs.

Jack Jablin: More on Papelbon later in our Q&A section..

Check the Stats: Let me just say that I think Craig Hansen will be a closer next year or possibly even in 2008.

Jack Jablin: Since he is struggling, I feel I have to ask: was Craig Hansen promoted too soon?

Check the Stats: I think that there was too many expectations, too soon. The organization was screaming "closer, closer" before he even cracked the 40-man roster. He will be good, he just needs time. Another thing that killed the Sox was sitting around at the deadline, not getting any pitching whatsoever hurt them, and helped the Yankees.

Jack Jablin: Ok, last question about the Bo-Sox. You're Theo Epstein and you only have time to persue one of two waiver trades, one for Todd Jones (closer for the Tigers) or one for Derrick Turnbow (struggling young reliever for the Brewers). Which would you go after and why?

Check the Stats: Jones. He hasn't had the struggles, and you already have a young closer in the works.. As a young player gets old he demands more money, where as certain players who are mediocre, or are not pursued by a NY team, don't demand as much and will settle for shorter contracts. In theory, if Jones needed to be resigned, it could be for less money and time than a young player like Turnbow.

Jack Jablin: Now, how about those Tigers? What's their story.

Check the Stats: The Tigers weren't a bomb dropped on baseball either, with a young staff that has tremendous major league experience to back 'em, it was only a matter of time before the team got it together; and with veterans like Pudge and Kenny Rogers, the young guys are feeling the winning ways.

Jack Jablin: Who drafted Justin Verlander in the YS.com fantasy league? Calling him "Sleeper of the century"?

Check the Stats: I believe it was you

Jack Jablin: It was meeee.. Yeah that sounds right. Do you think the Tiger's phenoms - Justin Verlander and Zach Miner - would be less spectacular if Pudge didn't catch them? Or is it more Jim Leyland? Or something else entirely?

Check the Stats: I believe it's the combination, the coaches know how to handle things, the veterans are doing their jobs and the young guys are stepping up.

Jack Jablin: Detroit's Zach Miner is not too different from the Mets' John Maine - short of the fact that Maine is currently the better pitcher... Speaking of John Maine and his New York Mets, the Mets are currently riding high - much to the laughter of Jeremy Roenick Hippy - in the NL East. Your thoughts on their longevity and their ability to play without Pedro or Glavine?

Check the Stats: Well since Glavine will only miss one or two starts, the Mets should be fine without him.. As for Pedro, Pedro always has this DL sit every year, and better for them to have it now than in late September. They have such a big lead that they could field the grounds crew this weekend if they so wanted to. But they need to remember to just keep doin what they are doin cause it doesn't get easier though I'd hate to think what the NL playoffs will be like; the only team at the moment that isn't the Mets that could do some damage is the Dodgers, but the whole NL West changes places every week like a Monty Python sketch.

To the NL!

Jack Jablin: What do you think about the Cardinals and the Reds? If they both end up in the playoffs, you don't think they can do damage?

Check the Stats: Possibly... I just think that they've both been so up and down that it is hard to say, they could have a huge run when the playoffs start or they could both tank in the NLDS. It's up in the air until they become solid playoff contenders.

Jack Jablin: Well, the Reds have finally found a suitable pitching staff to accomidate their nucleary offense, so I think they have some longevity. However, if Arroyo can't step back up to the mound and deliver, the Reds will have to count on Aaron Harang, Eric Milton, or even a younger pitcher like Elizardo Ramirez. I wonder how long they can survive like that?

Check the Stats: Well I think that if Arroyo can't step it back up against the more or less weak NL Central then the team will have problems because they need him to produce and just gettin 10 wins now when the race to 20 is nearing an end is not cutting it at all..

Jack Jablin: In fact, Arroyo only has one win in the past two months.

Check the Stats: And he is supposed to be the #1 or 2 on the rotation!

Jack Jablin: Alright, so, while the Reds are fighting to keep the Wild Card away from Ryan Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies (which I refer to in a similar way as I would to "Huey Lewis....... And the News") the Cardinals are in the middle of a series with the Mets - with the NL Central lead in the balance. What are your thoughts on the Cardinals' chances?

Check the Stats: Well genius, I can tell you what you already should know: it will be a knock down, drag out battle for the NL Central, and it just depends on who wins the important games. For instance, if the Cards lose to the Mets 2 out of 3, fine, but if they lose 2 out of 3 to say the Giants... That's when they are boned.

Back to the league of America

Jack Jablin: So we've covered the NL West (the Dodgers Vs Freak of the week), the NL Central (War, what is it good for?), the NL East (one word: Mets)... So now I've got a question for you.

Check the Stats: What's that, Jack?

Jack Jablin: The AL races are all pretty much down to two teams: In the AL West it's either Oakland or the Angels, in the AL Central it's the Tigers (or the Chi-Sox pulling up the rear) and in the AL East... What is it always? Sox Vs Yanks. Which teams have the advantage in their respective race, which teams have it all locked up, and which teams should give up now?

Check the Stats: Ohhhh where to start, where to start... How about our respective coast?

Jack Jablin: Eyyy.... ELLLLL.... West (west west west wesssst...)

Check the Stats: A's and Angels: they both start with an A, they are both located in that bastard bay area near the more prosperous, and yet so much differs between the two.

Jack Jablin: One's from the land of Oak, one's from the land of the Mighty Ducks.

Check the Stats: ...Right. Anyway, the A's have an offense that contains some key players who can light up the ball - the big hurt, Milton Bradley, Nick Swisher, and Jay Payton - and their pitching is getting the job done. The 'pen is nothing special, but their closer is filthy (when he's healthy).

Jack Jablin: And they'll be getting young stud Rich Harden back, shortly.

Check the Stats: Which will add another fantastic arm to an already fairly potent rotation.

Jack Jablin: Couldn't agree more, Harden is a phenom.

Check the Stats: Now the Angels have more structure around pitching, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana two young guys who can throw gas. However the offense sometimes would rather phone it in, with Vlad "I'll hit anything in the general area of the plate" Guerrero being the center piece of the offense with some support from Chone Figgins and Juan Rivera

Jack Jablin: I couldn't agree more with what you say about the Angels and their youthful rotation; but what's more spectacular is how well Angels veteran John Lackey is pitching! In his last two months he's 5-4 with 69 K's and only 23 earned runs allowed. With pitching like that, it's amazing the Angels are a mere 67-60..

Check the Stats: It's called the residual Jeff Weaver effect..

Jack Jablin: Yeah, well, while you may have solved that mystery, there's still a question that nobody can answer: Vlad Guerrero. I still can't see how Vlad continues to be so hardcore; with the way he swings, he should strike out every time. Fortunately, he's got a reach like Tyson, and because of that he can do anything to any pitch, leading the Angels back into the AL West chase. Frightening, isn't he?

Check the Stats: Not as frightening as the AL Central, where there are three hungry dogs... Four if the Twins really do count as two.

Jack Jablin: They don't.

Check the Stats: Regardless. With Francisco Liriano out what are the chances that the Twins can regroup and make a push?

Jack Jablin: Well, to me that's a very complicated question. The Twins claim that if Liriano feels ANY pain during his rehab, he will be deactivated for the remainder of 2006 - a move I respect. If Liriano comes back, the Twins will more than likely have about half a month to catch up to the Tigers and/or White Sox, which pretty much comes down to how far back they are at that point in time.

Check the Stats: I believe that if the Tigers continue to win consistantly then it will put the Twins outta any division chance, so there's my theory on that.

Jack Jablin: At this point, the Twin have one great picher (Johan), one decent pitcher (Radke) and a handful of guys who really do not belong so high up in the rotation - Carlos Silva and Matt Garza. With those pitchers, you can expect MAYBE two wins per turn in the rotation (possibly two of four wins every time the rotation goes about). In my opinion, the Minnesota Twins do not have the type of offense that can truly keep a team alive by itself.

Check the Stats: You don't think?

Jack Jablin: Short of Joe Mauer (who has been cold), Justin Morneau or Jason Bartlett, who do the Twins have?

Check the Stats: Michael Cuddyer has shown some spark, but aside from that, nothing special.

Jack Jablin: Well, be that as it may: I don't think the Twins have a shot at the playoffs. If they can't beat the White Sox or Twins in the AL Central, they aren't taking the Wild Card from either of them, to say the least.

Check the Stats: As far as the wild card is concerned, it depends on two teams -- the Red Sox and the White Sox. If the BoSox can't get their pitching in place then they might be SOL, while the White Sox struggle in the same department. I think the Twins have a chance.

Babbling about the AL East:

Jack Jablin: Alright, lastly... Where are we at in the AL East? It's down to the Sox and the Yanks - both of which are having pitching struggles, amplified further by New York's recent loss of backbone starter Mike Mussina. Who's going to take this division?

Check the Stats: Well, if the Sox can do more of what they did today, winning a close game, then I can see them taking the division from the Yanks.. However, Josh Beckett needs to find his groove and Curt Schilling needs to win the games he starts (and not leave it to the bullpent). On top of it all, the bullpen needs to stop losing the game that the starters had gift wrapped for them (I'm talking to you Papelbon).

Jack Jablin: So, are you with me when I say that "Boston Massacre 2" has no real bearing on the end of the season? There's almost a month and a half remaining in the season, nothing's over just yet.

Check the Stats: I'd say this is a huge exaggeration by fans who think that because we got swept by the Yanks that it's the end of the world, I remember the last time we took a really bad beating from them during the regular season, I believe it was 2004 and we were almost 10 games out, but we stormed back and guess what happened, we won the world series that year, how 'bout that?

Jack Jablin: Yeah, but I wonder if the Sox didn't make a deal with the devil to do it. They're certainly seeming more and more like what they "despise" in recent years.. That aside, I agree, the season isn't over until the final strike is called (or Ortiz's bat touches the ball). Last call: Who takes the division? Boston or New York?

Check the Stats: I say if the Sox get their pitching together they win it, if not the Yanks steal it again.

You write, we respond!

Jack Jablin: Alright, that does it for Q&A. We've got a LOT of questions in my mailbox (since our last ODC), so I'll go with only our latest one.

Check the Stats: sounds good

Jack Jablin: Our latest was just over a week ago, from some duder named asfdmoasmfoasofm, hell, I don't know, some random keyboard babble.

Check the Stats: I HAVE HAD IT WITH THESE MOTHER F***ING NERDS ON THIS MOTHER ****ING Q&A SEGMENT!

Jack Jablin: Anyway, the question is as follows: "whats up jack? i dunno when you and stats are throwing out a new on deck circle but im wondering if you can answer this question real quick. who do you think deserves the rookie of the year awards"

Check the Stats: Interesting question indeed... My vote for the AL is Jonathan Papelbon. Now, hear me out on this one, he stepped up in a pen filled with question mark and out of his regular role to a closer and has done it almost flawlessly all year.

Jack Jablin: And National League?

Check the Stats: Ryan Howard. He should win it AGAIN... Have you been watching him this year? Seriously though, I'm gonna go with former Red Sox prospect, current Marlin star Hanley Ramirez.

Jack Jablin: Right on, that works on a few levels, but not for me. For me, three names come to mind when I think NL rookie of the year: Arizona's Conor Jackson, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder and the Dodger's Andre Ethier. Sadly, I feel that CoJack simply hasn't put up the numbers he should have (like Jackson's team mate and future all-star, Carlos Quentin) if he wanted to win ROY, and while Fielder is the man who has had the most face time and HAS the most power of this year's rookie crop, he hasn't been nuclear either. Andre Ethier, despite all of ten people knowing his name, has been everything a great rookie should be: consistant (.338 average). Andre Ethier is my easy NL pick, without him the Dodgers aren't in first place at this point in the season.

Check the Stats: Cool deal.

Jack Jablin: As for the AL... Justin Verlander, no doubt, no question, no thought involved. Weaver debuted too late, Liriano didn't last, Papelbon hasn't been "on" since the All-Star break, and Ian Kinsler has been feeling the pain all season. Even if Kinsler had played well all year, I don't think any rookie could match the worth of Verlander's AL-leading 15 wins, 3.05 ERA and century amount of K's... Joel Zumaya's no rookie pitcher to shake your head at, either. Verlander takes the AL Rookie of the Year with a heated contest insuing at the end. Perhaps a Cy Young nomination is in Verlander's future, as well?

Check the Stats: It should be an interesting battle.

Jack Jablin: Alright, well that does it for now. The ODC is back and sadly, so are the Yankees. Rock on and Rock out, this has been Jack Jablin.

Check the Stats: And this is CTS, good night ya knuckle-heads.

Drop your questions to JJablinYS@hotmail.com

Will the real fans please stand up?

By Karlsie

The Red Sox helped the Yankees cause this week by consistently snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. As uncomfortably painful as that series was for the team, it was a reminder of days past for us fans who have been with this team through thick and thin. If nothing else, the Boston Massacre of 2006 just reinforces a truth as expressed in the movie Dodgeball: "It's time to separate the wheat from the chaff, the men from the boys, the awkwardly feminine from the possibly Canadian."

The pink hat fans (as dubbed by the local media) are the people who looooovvvvve winners. They know what to chant and when to chant it mistaking the game on the field with a viewing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" while wearing their oh so trendy Sox gear.

But this is where true fandom is tested. Can you stand by your team when the manager only seems capable of rocking back and forth and seems to be secretly paging through Joe Morgan's "Baseball for Dummies?" Can you take the heartbreak in August instead of October? Are you ready to chant, "We are number two?"

If so, then you're a true Sox fan and you're welcome to sit by me any time. Otherwise, just take your pink cap and leave me alone - there's a game going on and I'd like to watch.

NY's NL This Week

By jrhippe

Three losses in a row, four wins in a row.

That was this past week for the New York Mets, but the current four game winning streak and sweep of the Rockies is not the big news.

With the team's number one pitcher already on the disabled list, number two may be out for the rest of the season. Lefthander Tom Glavine (12-6, 3.92) has a suspected blood clot in his pitching shoulder, which could spell the end to not only his season, but his Hall of Fame career.

After a start in Philadelphia last week, Glavine felt on a finger on his pitching arm was cold -- a symptom of a blood clot. At time of publishing, he is still scheduled to receive a CT Scan and an angiogram on his arm and more specifically shoulder.

If the results of the tests come back positive, he'll require surgery ending his season and maybe last week's loss against the Phillies will be his last ever start. It is worth noting that Glavine has never been on the DL in his 20 years in baseball.

What does this mean for the Mets? If he's out for the remainder of the season, the rotation for September would look like Hernandez, Trachsel, Maine, Bannister and a call-up, like Pelfrey again. With such a large lead in the division and now league, neither seem at risk, however this setback would significantly hurt the team's chances at a deep run in the playoffs. Glavine has the experience of postseason baseball and would sorely be missed in October as he would love to get a second ring.

Nothing is for sure yet regarding required surgery and this finger coldness in the finger could turn out to be something else altogther. Who knows? We'll have to wait for the results before jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge.

Now a quick recap of the week that was on the diamond:

The Mets were slashed in their first three games in Philadelphia being outscored 27-4 (13-0, 11-4, 3-0), which including Martinez giving up six runs in the first inning on Monday and having to be put on the disabled list again this season. New York salvaged a win on Thursday. The team continued to roll with their second consecutive three game sweep at home defeating Colorado. Hernandez pitched six innings on Sunday giving up five hits and no runs. Billy Wagner saved all three games to bump his total up to 31 on the season.

BASE HITS
- This past weekend featured a celebration of the 1986 Mets World Series championship. It included an elaborate ceremony before Saturday night's game, which can be seen here.
- The Mets also wore their 1986 jerseys on Saturday and Sunday to honour the last championship team in Queens.
- Here's another reminder of the three fans votes that are going on from MLB: Carlos Beltran is a candidate for NL Comeback Player of the Year, David Wright is the team's rep for the Hank Aaron Award and pick a classic Met in the Hometown Heroes promotion.

ON DECK
- The nine game homestand continues with three games against the National League's number two team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite falling behind recently, the NL Central leaders can still catch the Mets for home field advantage in the playoffs.
- A weekend series against the Phillies. They just played a week ago and destroyed the Mets in Philadelphia taking three of four. How will New York respond?

NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com

Long Summer

By Karlsie

I had this notion I was going to be writing a lot this summer - and I have. Just not about baseball. Not because I haven't been going to games - I have. Mr. Pi and went to a bunch of games at Fenway, 2 Fishercats games, dwon to Pawtucket and other places as well. I've been loving the guests at the Fenway Writer's Series as well

I went to the Padres game against the Nats a week ago (where it felt like watching the Sox given San Diego seems to be where Boston players go to end their careers) and I got hissed at in the Philly airport at 6 in the morning because I was wearing my Padres cap.

But I haven't been writing about it. I've been busy writing about other things, including blogging about how I've started running recently.

Right now I'm going back to Fenway on 8/31 and 9/8. I'm going to more writer's series luncheons and I'm even scheduled to give blood on 9/11 at Fenway (something I've done for 3 years now).

I'm itching to write about baseball again - so I'm back.

Let the games begin.

NY's NL This Week

By jrhippe

Catcher Paul Lo Duca was in hot water this week, but he and the Mets handled it in stride.

Faced with the reports of his divorce throughout the media being reported, The Daily News also reported that Lo Duca is a heavy gambler and has accumulated debts. This of course isn't against Major League rules, as long as there isn't bets made on baseball, but a media circus surrounded the Mets clubhouse over the past week.

Lo Duca made a statement that he is indeed a gambler, but that all his wagering is done on horse racing and through legal electronic means. Fine by me.

And would this even be an issue if the Mets weren't the National League's best team?

During the week, the Mets did what any responsible club would do and issued a statement backing their All-Star catcher. It read:

We have talked to Major League Baseball and they have expressed no concern of any violation of any Major League Baseball rule regarding Paul Lo Duca. Right now we urge Paul to focus on baseball and we support him through this difficult period in his life.

Good move. Many talking heads have suggested a situation like this could destroy the team's chances at winning. I on the other hand believe it brings a team closer together when faced with a teammate getting publically trashed. And judging by the play of Lo Duca in the Mets, it hasn't bothered them at all. In fact the team has won seven of their last eight games and Lo Duca has continued to contribute with hits, runs and RBI and is batting .366 this month.

To be honest, I could care less when Lo Duca does away from the ballpark, as long as he's contributing to the team. That's the important thing.

Mike Piazza, with at the time his first place Padres, made his first trip back to Shea since signing as free agent with San Diego. He was greated with a long, loud and deserving ovation before his first at bat and the crowd chanted "MIKE PI-AZZA" when he singled. Although the Mets swept San Diego, Piazza didn't leave without smacking a pair of homers on Wednesday. The second was greeted with a few sarcastic boos. Hopefully he goes into the Hall as a Met and when the time comes, the organization retires his No. 31.

In Washington, the Mets took two of three. Glavine again received no run support, despite pitching brilliantly on Friday night. The team lost 2-1. On Saturday, John Maine's scoreless inning run came to an end at 26, but New York was able to win. And Sunday saw the Mets reach 71 wins in the fewest number of games since when? 1986.

BASE HITS
- Another week, another vote I ask you to cast. Carlos Beltran is one of six National League players to be nominated for the Comeback Player of the Year award. The others are Garciaparra (LAD), Estrada (ARZ), Rolen (STL), Borowski (FLA) and Renteria (ATL). I can't see Beltran not winning this award. I mean he goes from free agent bust to NL MVP candidate in one offseason. The same cannot be said about any of the others.
- As of right now the Mets have five sets of uniforms (three home, two road). I've always thought this was an overboard attempt at marketing and it looks like I'm not the only one. Although I don't mind the black uniforms, I think it's unnecessary to wear them so regularly. This petition though calls for the Mets to "return to their original colours" and only wear their pinstripe whites at home and greys on the road. Add your signature.

ON DECK
- Four games at Philly starting on Monday night. The Mets took two of three in their series with Philadelphia at the beginning of the month.
- Three game weekend homestand against the Rockies. Believe it or not, but despite Colorado's poor record, they're still in a pennent race out west and will be hungry for wins.

NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com

NY's NL This Week

By jrhippe

The overrated non-waiver trade deadline came and went without a major splash by the New York Mets.

Only one deal was made by Omar Minaya, which he was forced to do after receiving the news that Duaner Sanchez (5-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 49 games) would be out for the remainder of the season.

Sanchez was involved in a serious looking automobile accident while riding in a taxi in Miami early Monday which was hit by another vehicle driver. Sanchez dislocated his right shoulder and required arthroscopic surgery last week.

So Minaya knowing that one of his team's best set-up men would not be available this year, he dealt right fielder Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh in exchange for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez. Two potentially effective relief pitchers, who just weren't getting their way as Pirates, but will surely find a spots out of the New York bullpen. Nady will be replaced by a platoon (Randolph won't call it that) of Lastings Milledge - called up this week from Norfolk - and Chris Woodward.

On the diamond, the Mets lost two of three in Miami including a blown save on Tuesday courtesy of Billy Wagner giving up a two run homerun in the bottom of the ninth. Wednesday saw him redeem himself with a save, albeit a little shaky. Pedro Martinez and Dontrelle Willis were involved in a pitcher's duel in the rubber match that saw Aaron Heilman (my favourite whipping boy) allow the Marlins to score three runs after Pedro left in a 1-1 tie. He picked up yet another no decision.

In the series with Philadelphia, Friday night saw the end of Chase Utley's 35 game hitting streak after going 0-5 at the plate. The Phillies did however win their fourth straight game. Saturday afternoon featured Tom Glavine finally picking up his 12th win of the season - his first since June 23 in Toronto (a game I was at), after going seven innings only giving up five hits and three runs.

The Mets took the rubber match thanks to a seven run fourth inning, which included a Jose Reyes grand slam, which was the team's eighth of the season tying a franchise record set twice in 1999 and 2000. They've hit six in their last 19 games. John Maine continued to sparkle on the mound, having yet another shutout performance - extending his streak to 23 scoreless innings. Amazing stuff. At ESPN.com, Elias says: "Maine has not allowed a run in each of his last three starts. He's the first rookie pitcher to do that -- while throwing at least six innings in each outing -- since the Brewers' Cal Eldred in August 1992."

BASE HITS
- On Saturday, the Mets and Jose Reyes agreed to a four-year, $23 million package with a club option for a fifth season. On Sunday, the Mets and David Wright agreed to a six-year, $55 million deal that includes a club option for a seventh season. Brilliant deals and the time is right to get them both locked up for the long term. Looks like they'll both be around for 2009 and Opening Day at the new Sheadium.
- Matthew Cerrone has now been doing interviews on his MetsBlog.com and recently conducted one with Tom Verducci from Sports Illustrated talking about his cover story on the Mets. They discuss the clubhouse camaraderie, among other things NYM related. Take a listen.
- Word is that Paul Lo Duca is finished talking to the media this season, because of a report in The New York Post citing that his wife has filed for divorce based on adultry. Whether it's true or not, the Lo Ducas are upset and it's unfortunate that's he's done with the media because he has great lines and provided a great quotation about the series with the Braves that I included in my column last week.
- More voting for your clicking pleasure: David Wright is the New York Mets' candidate for the Hank Aaron Award. Voting is done at MLB.com until September 30.

ON DECK
- Mike Piazza returns to Queens to play for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Padres. I am much looking forward to a warm welcome back from Mets fans as the three game set begins Tuesday. Thursday's game starts at 12:10 PM.
- Off to RFK to take on the Nationals in a weekend series. John Maine is schedule to make his next start on Saturday night in Washington as he looks to extend his shutout streak of 23 innings..

NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com